Introduction

The current structure of the education system in South Sudan is mixed.

The legacy of the 21 years of civil war left many either uneducated or with low literacy levels.

Those who fled to neighbouring countries largely received basic education in line with the education system and structure of the host countries.

Fewer were luckier to obtain higher levels of education by being part of the South Sudanese Diaspora in Europe, America and beyond.

However, humanitarian agencies as well as NGOs kept some schools operational in SPLA/M controlled areas.Since the signing of the CPA in 2005, there has been initiatives to rapidly raise the literacy levels in South Sudan; more so among the girl child.

Among the initiatives is Go To School Initiative that was successfully launched in Juba on 1 April 2006. The First Vice President of the Republic of Sudan and President of Southern Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit declared 1 April be known as ‘Education Day’ in South Sudan, while the First Lady committed herself to become a champion for girls’ education within the Go To School Initiative.

The methods of instruction within South Sudan include Interactive Radio Instruction (IRI) that imparts teacher training in addition to the radio lessons. The IRI lessons are dynamic, employing a combination of games, songs, and stories to introduce quality educational content and sound educational practice.

Education System

The levels of education essentially available within South Sudan are:

Basic Education

This offers students the basic literacy levels of reading and writing with primary use of English as the language of instruction over Arabic.
There are several organizations involved in this. They include USAID, UNICEF, CARE through Sudan Basic Education Program (SBEP)

Primary Education

Accelerated Learning Programs

Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) combines two primary grades into one year. ALP was specifically developed to meet the needs of internally displaced persons returning to their homes, demobilized soldiers, and girls, and will thereby play an indispensable role in helping “catch up” youngsters in South Sudan.

Adult Education

This offers an opportunity to mature students / adults who missed out on formal education due to the civil war.